Both schools announced the hiring of new football coaches Friday, with Ryan Brady taking the helm for the Spartans and Matt Casper overseeing the reins of the Wolverines.

Both coaches are expected to begin their duties July 1 — the start of the new academic calendar — though they will be on their new campuses to oversee spring practice and prepare the 2014 season.

Brady, a defensive line coach and co-defensive coordinator at Hillgrove the past three years, recently completed his 14th season as an assistant coach. He’s spent the past 11 years as a defensive coordinator at Hillgrove, Cass and Royal Palm Beach (Fla.), and he was an assistant coach at his alma mater, Harborfields (N.Y.), after graduating from West Virginia in 2000 with a degree in journalism.

Brady also played four years at West Virginia, starting all 11 games of his senior season as a linebacker.

“I’m very excited and humbled to be selected for this position,” Brady said. “I want to thank the principal, Dr. (Denise) Magee, and athletic director, Dr. (Rudy) Deveaux, for selecting me and giving me this opportunity.”

Brady plans to run a variation spread offense, use multiple defensive sets and coverages and put the athletes in the best possible position to succeed.

“It’s always been a goal of mine to be a head coach,” he said. “I’ve been interviewed several times and when you don’t get it, you wonder if it will ever happen. The folks at Hillgrove would tell me to wait my turn and the right situation will come. I stayed the course and this opportunity presented itself, so I’m very grateful.”

Deveaux said Campbell received 31 applications and the selection committee narrowed the list to six finalists. Two were eventually considered before Brady was offered the position.

“The competition was stiff,” Deveaux said. “We wanted someone to come in and be effective with the kids, have them play at a high level and develop a good relationship with them.

“We’re very excited to have coach Brady join us. We have a core group of kids returning and we’re going into a new region. This is uncharted territory for us. Our goal is to be a successful team and get to the playoffs.”

This fall will see Campbell playing in a new Region 3AAAAAA that includes schools from Douglas, Coweta and south Fulton counties along with former Region 4AAAAAA rivals Pebblebrook and South Cobb.

The Spartans went 4-6 for former coach Harris Rainbow last year, with a 2-6 record in the challenging region.

“It’s a new region and I’m excited about that,” Brady said. “It’s intriguing with great possibilities for Campbell to do well.

“We left a tough region, and we’re going to make a name for ourselves in this new one. The administration is behind us, and there’s solid support from the staff, so I’m looking forward to everything.”

Brady becomes the third former assistant of Hillgrove’s Phillip Ironside among current coaches in Cobb County. McEachern coach Kyle Hockman assisted Ironside at Campbell, and recently hired South Cobb coach Geoff Pastrick served under Ironside at Hillgrove.

“You always want to hire good guys that you think will be head coaches because you know they’ll make good assistants,” Ironside said. “It’s something (Brady) wanted to do. He put in good hard work for us, so it’s good to see him get this opportunity. Campbell’s a good place and a good community, and I think it’s a win for both of them.”

Casper has more than 10 years of coaching experience at the collegiate and high school levels, most recently at Lovett.

Casper could not be reached for comment, but he said in a release on the Walker School’s website that he “realized this position is not only a great professional opportunity, but also a critical responsibility for the development of the young men within the program.

“I feel that not only is the Walker community a great place to work, but I also recognize the strong desire to see this football team succeed from everyone I have crossed paths with on this campus.”

“I look forward to working with Matt,” he said in the release. “He has helped to coach the offense on the varsity football team at Lovett for the past seven years, and they went on to become the (Class) AA Georgia state champions in 2013. He has a proven track record and determined spirit that will be a huge asset to us.”

Casper replaces John East, who resigned after two seasons to accept a position as the athletic director at another school.

Yal are hysterical!! I hope this guy wins just to shut yal up!! I don't have a horse in this race but as much trash as yal have been talking about this whole situation I'm rooting for these kids and for Campbell to win to shut yal up. Why don't all yal so-called supporters start supporting the kids over there instead of bad mouthing everything on a blog. Half of yal probably aren't even involved over there

Step Up - I agree. Some of these comments are just crazy. Those who are ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS in Campbell's football program knew what the meet and greet was about, have their own opinions on how good or bad a job Coach Rainbow did, etc. Those that DO NOT participate, always have something to complain about. Coach Brady has this drama to deal with as well as trying to get the program running. Good Luck To Him. Stop whinning and support the PROGRAM and PLAYERS.

CHS Knowledge

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April 15, 2014

Would be surprised if Ryan Brady had that on his application as defensive coordinator or not. If so, he should not be allowed to coach at Campbell.

If he was misrepresented by Campbell staff, then they should be reprimanded. The MDJ was told be someone that he was the co-defensive coordinator. They would not just print that. If being told that by a high ranking person from Campbell High School then why would they second guess it?

Also, sure would be interesting if Ryan Brady misrepresented himself. Do you think Dr. Magee would actually hire the second runner up? I think not. Also, to say that there were 31 applicants there is no way these were the two most qualified.

During the Dog and Pony Show that occurred at Campbell. It seemed as though both final applicants were told something completely different for the meet and greet. It appeared as South Forsyth coach was told he would meet the parents and players, and Brady was told that he was to present and then answer questions.

This whole charade has been a complete nightmare and for one reason only. Dr. Magee threw a lot of Smyrna/Campbell High Public Figures under the bus in this process. She has "included" students, and parent to make them believe that there words and vote had a say.

If anything needs to happen, a new principal needs to come into Campbell and decide what to do about a coaching staff for all sports. Even if Dr. Magee has to go into one of the most corrupt school district main offices in the state, she will be out of Campbell High School.

This process has been screwed up from the beginning...waiting until late Feb to dismiss Rainbow, not naming an interim/acting head coach to keep off-season conditioning going, lying to existing asst coaches as to why they would not be interviewed, taking too long to start interviewing candidates and most importantly letting players be involved in the process. Then you bring in a head coach with over-fluffed credentials that has not been a head coach when that was stated from the beginning by the principal as a requirement.

I feel for the players that have to endure what is coming, as well as any asst coaches from Rainbow's staff that join this new guy's staff.

Bottom line these kids clapped & applauded when Dr. Magee informed the team that she dismissed Rainbow. Ask any kid on the team and they will tell you they were excited to hear of his dismissal. They will also tell you he wasn't respected and change was needed. She made the right move and now its time for everybody to move on and support the new coach!!

Time will tell if Magee made the right move or not. Kids will clap and cheer at and for anything these days, especially if they believe they are going to have an easier time. My best guess is the program will be in shambles in less than 3 years...well deserving of it's long standing reputation of a train wreck program in Cobb County.

@CHSMOM

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April 14, 2014

CHS Mom, you couldn't be more WRONG. My son played for Rainbow at CHS, and there are tons of kids who enjoyed having him as there coach. If a change was needed, I sure couldnt tell you why. But that's what happened. My problem is that they hired someone unqualified to do the job. He has no head coaching experience, so he's good enough for Campbell? If you fire Rainbow, at least make a good hire, and this new guy isn't it. I will wear my blue and cheer for the team, but I look forward to saying "Told you so" when this coach flames out (like the two before Rainbow did).

sad day for us

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April 13, 2014

Sad we lost Coach Rainbow. Sad we are losing all the coaches that have helped the program the last few years. Sad that the school made a mockery of the hiring process by not involving anyone. Sad for the future of the school and program under this leadership.

I wish Coach Brady the best of luck. He has some big shoes to fill and some high expectations for this years team. We believe with Coach Rainbow we were on track to win 8-9 games and make the playoffs.... We believe in our team and kids and expect Coach Brady to keep things rolling. Everyone needs to put the decision to change coaches behind them and rally behind the kids and make this happen.Go Spartans!

You can make things sound all peaches and cream. The bottom line is that Harris Rainbow was fired for one reason and one reason, only. Just as 99% of the people who posted the day of his February 24th dismissal, the principal wanted a man of color in the position. Now just lookie what happened. What a crying shame. Coach Rainbow deserved better.

Cobb County Football

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April 13, 2014

Just want to point out an inaccuracy in the article. Ryan Brady is not nor has he ever been the Defensive Coordinator or even Co-Defensive Coordinator at Hillgrove High School. Ken Nix is the only Defensive Coordinator at Hillgrove. Ken Nix won the Defensive Coordinator of the year at the Cobb TD Club Banquet. Ryan Brady was not included because he was the Defensive line Coach.

Coach Brady is a very good coach however, but it is not right to give him credentials he has not earned. It takes away from the job and title Coach Nix has earned at Hillgrove.

@just as predicted

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April 14, 2014

Absolutely right! Everyone in the whole school knew there was only one criteria for getting this job, and it sure wasn't about coaching experience! None of the applications even mattered because she knew exactly what she wanted to hire.

Cobb Coaches

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April 14, 2014

I talked to three different cobb county football coaches and they all rolled their eyes at the hire Campbell just made. Something tells me Hillgrove isn't missing their "co-defensive coordinator" very much.

@Just as Predicted

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April 15, 2014

Do you even know how bad of a job coach rainbow was doing. Have you ever been inside of the locker room, or seen the playbook. Have you ever been to a game to watch CHS run the same exact play over and over again to the tun of 3 and out.

What's wrong with hiring a black man who has coached for 14 seasons?

Looks like you are one of those score keeping Rush babies who can't wait to point out some political faux pas that only you and simple minded people alike can understand.

CHILL AND LET THE MAN DO WORK.

Rainbow might have been a good person, but that doesn't make you a good coach (especially when you try to run out of the back door to Harrison last year).

Spare me the BS!

Former Campbell Alumni and Player (for Ironside)

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